The community of Canchias lies in the mountainous central region of Honduras at the foothills of a government protected cloud forest. Most residents in Canchias are either farmers or artisans.
However, agricultural and dairy land is limited. As a result, residents scrape by, sustaining themselves below the poverty level by raising just enough food to feed their families. Few people own land and are therefore forced to seek work in the overcrowded cities, resulting in displaced families. This is the spot Charlie Smith selected when he began the ministry of Heart to Honduras in 1989.
At the time of the founding of the ministry the village of Canchias truly was overlooked by the government, the church and the world in general. Thus it was the perfect place for Charlie to work with “the least of these.”
Most teams that travel with Heart to Honduras will stay at the ministry campus (pictured above) located on the south side of Canchias. A hydroelectric plant built by HTH teams feed electricity not only to the campus but the community as well. The medical clinic and the local school were also built by teams that have traveled with HTH through the years. For those who started traveling to Canchias in the 1980′s and 1990′s there is a stark difference in the people, the homes and the attitudes. Canchias is now looked at as a good place to live and has grown tremendously, whereas it was a place young people wanted to flee, it had no jobs and no hope.
While there is still much work to be done, and a first time visitor will likely not understand how much Canchias has improved, we thank God for his grace and the progress that has been made already.
Arrival in Canchias
In Canchias your team will need to unload all the bags. Lodging will be assigned for your stay and if time permits, you will be given a chance to settle in. Team equipment can be stored in the Conference Center/Dining Hall, so only your personal belongings will need to be taken to the cabins (it’s a bit of a hike). Make sure you know the way and that you have the key to get in. DO NOT lock the key in the cabin or leave the cabin unlocked when a team member is not present.
At some point during your time in Canchias make sure you take the time to take a Village tour. Your Team Leader will walk you through the village and show you many of the little things that have been done through the years that are making a big impact on the people now. Stop and talk to the people, many of them enjoy showing their homes to the visitors in their community.
